The old saying goes, "If you’re marketing to everyone, you’re marketing to no one." So how do you figure out your target audience? You can’t be all things to all people, right? It all starts with values. You need to establish who you are as a business, how you want to be seen, and what’s most important to you as a business owner. Are you focused on giving back to charity? Is your brand all about being family-oriented? Or maybe your goal is to maximize work-life balance. Whatever it is, getting clear on your values makes everything else easier. When you know who you are, creating content feels more natural. You’ll find it simpler to spot businesses to collaborate with—and just as important, you’ll know which opportunities to say no to. In our Coaching Group, we’ve got a handy guide to help you focus on your values and figure out what really matters to you. This isn’t a “do it once and forget about it” kind of thing. It’s an exercise you’ll want to revisit often, making adjustments as your business evolves and ensuring you’re staying true to your vision. Bottom line: You need to nail down your business values before you can define your target audience or map out a clear vision for your company. Check out the Classroom tab to learn more about our Group Coaching course. We’re here to help your business get focused and on the right track.

As we wrap up this week's focus on Trust in Warm Marketing, let’s dive into a powerful growth hack to build a bigger, trusting audience. Trust isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of effective warm marketing. If you want to grow your reach, showcasing your successful collaborations with local businesses is a surefire way to do it. Here’s how: Share the stories. Highlight the local businesses you’ve worked with, what you achieved together, and how your partnership built mutual trust. This can take many forms: - Testimonials: A few kind words from a business owner go a long way. - Social Media Posts: Showcase collaborations with photos, videos, or posts about your joint efforts. - Blooper Reels: These add a human, relatable touch—because we all love a little humor. - Event Highlights: If you’ve hosted an event together, share the success! - Referrals: Don’t forget to ask for introductions to like-minded businesses—referrals are gold in warm marketing. The key is to let your content do the talking. When your audience sees how others trust and value your work, they’ll start to feel the same. It’s about building a ripple effect of trust. Finally, make sure your messaging is crystal clear: more and more local businesses trust you to collaborate with them, and that trust fuels your growth. With consistent storytelling and a touch of creativity, you’ll see your audience grow—one meaningful connection at a time.

When warm marketing, it’s tempting to step into the hero role—swooping in to “save the day” with your marketing and collaborative efforts. However, it’s essential to remember that the spotlight belongs to the local business. They are the hero; you are the support. I’ll admit, I sometimes forget this rule. It’s easy to get excited and caught up in helping others. But when creating content, the focus must always stay on them—they need to be the center of attention. Why? Beyond the obvious benefits of giving and altruism, this approach builds relationships. Think about it: if you had a friend who always hogged the spotlight and stole your moments to shine, how long would you enjoy their company? The same applies to marketing. Letting the business take center stage makes them feel important, seen, and supported. And that is what truly matters. To establish trust and build strong relationships, we must prioritize giving first. Put the business’s needs before your own. When you give without expecting anything in return, you’ll be amazed at the good things that come your way.

Just a quickie today: if you want to do video but don't feel like being ON video, here are some solutions!

One of the main reasons warm marketing is so effective is that it helps you build trust within your community. And trust isn’t just a bonus, it’s a cornerstone of success in sales. If someone doesn’t trust you, they’re not going to spend their money or time with you. It’s that simple. When you invest your time and effort into helping a local business owner succeed, you’re not just offering support, you’re establishing credibility and building a meaningful connection. By helping them market their products or services without expecting an immediate return, you’re not only gaining their respect but also earning the trust of their audience. In essence, you’re expanding your reach and strengthening your reputation—without any hard sells. Collaborating with local businesses isn’t just generous—it’s strategic. It’s the most effective way to get in front of more people at once, grow your visibility, and strengthen your reputation. When your platforms work together with theirs, everyone wins. The secret sauce? Intention and authenticity. When you approach warm marketing with these two things, you’re not just promoting yourself—you’re fostering the community trust your business needs to thrive.